Television Discussion Comment

Television is one of the most prevalent forms of mass media. There are many ways that, because of this, it has influenced society.

One of the more notable reasons is that people stay inside more. Because it is now on twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, people can easily have the television on for long periods of time to a channel and there almost always be a program. People have been spending much time watching television, attributing to the obesity epidemic in America.

This "omnipresence" of the television leads many to wonder what might more psychological effects might it have. One of the ways television effects someone is that, through repetition of ads, people are more likely to remember a product. This has caused people to buy said product.

On a more dramatic turn on that effect, politicians cannot win without ads. People will not know who they are if they do not have ads. This real problem could be fixed if Americans started actually researching the issues of the politicians to make sure they truly agree with the policies of the politician they plan to vote for, and to make sure the other candidate is not a better choice. This will probably not be the case, though, so people need to be cautious of the effects of campaign ads so they can participate in America's democracy with more knowledge and with more informed votes.

The fact that so many Americans do not vote at all is also a problem that needs to be address with knowledge of how political campaign ads work. The constant use of negative ads targets liberal voters. The more negative ads there are, the less likely people are to vote. This helps conservatives because they are more likely to go to the voting booth no matter what. People, especially liberals targeted by this tactic, need to be aware of it (the tactic). If people are not participating in the democratic process by doing things to help the policies they agree with, then the point of democracy, which would be to represent the people, would be lessened.

Another way television can influence politics is how politicians need to get money. Without enough money, they cannot run ads. This can put politicians in the pocket of the wealthy. People with a lot of money can help fund politicians that will represent America the way they want it run. This makes many want to please the wealthy so they be funded by these wealthy people. Something needs to be done about this like it is done in numerous other countries.

Television has done amazing things, but it has such a big impact on society, and people need to understand this to fully be prepared for its effects.